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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 23:2 You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/23-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/02_Exo_23_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 23:2 - Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. 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When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not follow a multitude to <i>do</i> evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest <i>judgment</i>:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert <i>justice.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow the crowd in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to join together with a crowd in order to pervert <i>justice;</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert <i>justice;</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a case so as to turn aside after the masses in order to cause <i>justice</i> to be turned aside;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow a crowd to do [something] evil, nor shall you testify at a trial <i>or</i> in a dispute so as to side with a crowd in order to pervert <i>justice;</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You must not follow a crowd in wrongdoing. Do not testify in a lawsuit and go along with a crowd to pervert justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not follow a crowd in wrongdoing. Do not testify in a lawsuit and go along with a crowd to pervert justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest justice:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Always tell the truth in court, even if everyone else is dishonest and stands in the way of justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest judgment:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never follow a crowd in doing wrong. When you testify in court, don't side with the majority to pervert justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not follow the majority when they do wrong or when they give testimony that perverts justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to follow the majority in doing wrong, and you are not to testify in a lawsuit so as to follow the majority and pervert justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You must not follow a crowd in doing evil things; in a lawsuit you must not offer testimony that agrees with a crowd so as to pervert justice,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; neither shall you testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not after many to [do] evil, nor do you testify concerning a strife, to turn aside after many to cause [others] to turn aside;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou art not after many to evil, nor dost thou testify concerning a strife, to turn aside after many to cause others to turn aside;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not be after multitudes for evil; thou shalt not answer for the multitude to stretch out after multitudes to pervert justice.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not follow the multitude to do evil: neither shalt thou yield in judgment, to the opinion of the most part, to stray from the truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not follow the crowd in doing evil. Neither shall you go astray in judgment, by agreeing with the majority opinion, apart from the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When testifying in a lawsuit, you shall not follow the crowd in perverting justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not follow a majority in wrongdoing; when you bear witness in a lawsuit, you shall not side with the majority so as to pervert justice;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shall you testify in a lawsuit so as to pervert justice, in order to side with a multitude which deviates from justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall not go after many to do evil and do not answer against judgment to turn away after many who do turn away:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to pervert justice;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not associate with the multitude for evil; thou shalt not join thyself with a multitude to turn aside with the majority so as to shut out judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/23-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5740" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: ṯih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê- (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">the crowd</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: lə·rā·‘ōṯ (Prep-l:: N-fp) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">in wrongdoing.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ṯa·‘ă·neh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To answer, respond.">When you testify</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: riḇ (N-ms) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">a lawsuit,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: lə·haṭ·ṭōṯ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">pervert justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: lin·ṭōṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">by siding</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">the crowd.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-10.htm">Proverbs 1:10-15</a></span><br />My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. / If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a></span><br />You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a></span><br />Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-1.htm">Proverbs 24:1-2</a></span><br />Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; / for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-15</a></span><br />Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. / Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">1 Corinthians 15:33</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-20.htm">Proverbs 13:20</a></span><br />He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3-4</a></span><br />For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. / Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a></span><br />You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a></span><br />Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2-3</a></span><br />“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-29.htm">Acts 5:29</a></span><br />But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Galatians 1:10</a></span><br />Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:</p><p class="hdg">follow</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">Exodus 32:1-5</a></b></br> And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for <i>as for</i> this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-12.htm">Genesis 6:12</a></b></br> And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/7-1.htm">Genesis 7:1</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.</p><p class="hdg">speak or answer to decline</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6,7</a></b></br> Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a></b></br> Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: <i>but</i> in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">Deuteronomy 1:17</a></b></br> Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; <i>but</i> ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment <i>is</i> God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring <i>it</i> unto me, and I will hear it.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/exodus/22-9.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/genesis/50-7.htm">Court</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-28.htm">Crowd</a> <a href="/genesis/24-57.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/luke/24-29.htm">Decline</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/exodus/21-23.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-23.htm">General</a> <a href="/exodus/21-31.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/genesis/49-16.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/exodus/8-14.htm">Masses</a> <a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/exodus/12-38.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/exodus/5-21.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Order</a> <a href="/genesis/50-14.htm">Others</a> <a href="/jude/1-4.htm">Pervert</a> <a href="/exodus/17-12.htm">Side</a> <a href="/exodus/20-19.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/genesis/36-7.htm">Support</a> <a href="/exodus/19-21.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/exodus/14-2.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/exodus/20-19.htm">Words</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-16.htm">Wrest</a> <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/25-14.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/27-9.htm">Court</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-13.htm">Crowd</a> <a href="/exodus/28-29.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-11.htm">Decline</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/23-33.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-1.htm">General</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-10.htm">Masses</a> <a href="/exodus/35-21.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-16.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-5.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Order</a> <a href="/exodus/24-2.htm">Others</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Pervert</a> <a href="/exodus/25-12.htm">Side</a> <a href="/exodus/23-22.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Support</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-1.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/exodus/38-21.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Words</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Wrest</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Of slander, false witness, and partiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Of charitableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Of justice in judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Of taking bribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Of oppressing a stranger</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Of the year of rest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Of the Sabbath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Of the three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm">Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/exodus/23.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing</b><br />This phrase serves as a divine injunction against conforming to societal pressures that lead to sin. The Hebrew root for "follow" is "אַחֲרֵי" (acharei), which implies going after or pursuing. This suggests an active choice to align oneself with the actions of others. The term "crowd" in Hebrew is "רַבִּים" (rabbim), indicating a multitude or majority. Historically, the Israelites were often surrounded by pagan nations whose practices were contrary to God's laws. This commandment underscores the importance of individual moral responsibility, urging believers to stand firm in righteousness even when the majority chooses otherwise. It is a call to be set apart, reflecting the holiness of God in a world that often strays from His ways.<p><b>When you testify in a lawsuit</b><br />The context here is judicial, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity in legal matters. The Hebrew word for "testify" is "עֵד" (ed), which means to bear witness. In ancient Israel, the legal system relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses, and false testimony could lead to grave injustices. This phrase highlights the sacred duty of a witness to uphold truth, reflecting God's own nature as a God of justice. It serves as a reminder that our words carry weight and that we are accountable to God for the truthfulness of our testimony.<p><b>do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd</b><br />The phrase "pervert justice" comes from the Hebrew "לְהַטּוֹת מִשְׁפָּט" (lehatot mishpat), meaning to bend or distort judgment. This is a stern warning against allowing popular opinion to influence one's sense of justice. The historical context of this commandment is significant, as it was given to a people who were to reflect God's justice in their community. The term "siding with the crowd" reiterates the danger of succumbing to peer pressure or majority rule when it leads to injustice. This commandment calls believers to uphold God's standards of justice, even when it is unpopular or difficult, reminding us that true justice is rooted in God's character and His law, not in human consensus.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil . . . --</span>It is perhaps true that the offence especially condemned is joining with a majority in an unrighteous judgment; but the words of the precept extend much further than this, and forbid our being carried away by numbers or popularity in any case. <span class= "ital">Vox populi vox Dei </span>is a favourite maxim with many, but Scripture nowhere sanctions it. Job boasts that he did not fear a great multitude (<a href="/job/31-34.htm" title="Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?">Job 31:34</a>). David says that the "ten thousands of the people set themselves against him round about" (<a href="/psalms/3-6.htm" title="I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.">Psalm 3:6</a>). The prophets had always the multitude against them. "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way," said our blessed Lord, "which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." But 'wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat<span class= "ital">" </span><a href="/context/matthew/7-13.htm" title="Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:">Matthew 7:13-14</a>). We must be prepared to face unpopularity if we would walk in accordance with the Law of God.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil</span>. Rather, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude <span class="accented">to evil</span>." A law alike for deed, for word, and for thought. The example of the many is to be shunned. "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." But "strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it" (<a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13, 14</a>). It is extraordinary that so many, even of professing Christians, are content to go with the many, notwithstanding the warnings against so doing, both of the law and of the Gospel. <span class="cmt_word">Neither shalt thou speak,</span> etc. Rather, "Neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause to go aside after a multitude to put aside justice." The general precept is followed by a particular application of it. In judging a cause, if thou art one of the judges, thou shalt not simply go with the majority, if it he bent on injustice, but form thine own opinion and adhere to it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/23-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You shall not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">follow</span><br /><span class="heb">תִהְיֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a crowd</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in wrongdoing.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְרָעֹ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(lə·rā·‘ōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">When you testify</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲנֶ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a lawsuit,</span><br /><span class="heb">רִ֗ב</span> <span class="translit">(riḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strife, dispute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pervert justice</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַטֹּֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·haṭ·ṭōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by siding</span><br /><span class="heb">לִנְטֹ֛ת</span> <span class="translit">(lin·ṭōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a crowd.</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">OT Law: Exodus 23:2 You shall not follow a crowd (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 23:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/23-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 23:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>